Gustavia elliptica S.A.Mori
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Family
Lecythidaceae (Magnoliophyta)
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Scientific Name
Gustavia elliptica S.A.Mori
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Primary Citation
Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 21(1): 154. 1979
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Description
Author: Scott A. Mori & Nathan P. Smith
Type: Brazil. Amazonas: Rio Negro, Tauapecacu, 23 Sep 1947 (fl), Fróes 22468 (holotype, IAN 32256).
Description: Understory trees, to 20 m tall. Bark scalloped, the inner bark dark yellow to orange, with conspicuous rays. Leaves: petioles 5-28 mm long; blades elliptic, 11-28 x 4-9.5 cm, glabrous, the base acute to attenuate, slightly decurrent onto petiole, the margins entire to inconspicuously serrulate, especially toward apex, the apex short acuminate; venation brochidodromous, the secondary veins in 13-19 pairs. Inflorescences terminal, simple racemes; pedicels 25-60 mm long, pubescent. Flowers 7-9 cm diam.; calyx nearly entire; petals 8, white; staminal ring with over 500 stamens; ovary 4-locular, the style not distinct from summit of ovary. Fruits cylindric, 1.5-3 x 1.5-3 cm, with persistent pedicel, the exocarp sparsely pubescent. Seeds 1-1.5 x 0.5-1 cm, the funicle conspicuous, contorted, yellow.
Common names: Brazil: Mucurão (fide Mori & Lepsch-Cunha, 1995). This name refers to the fetid odor exuded from the cut wood and bark of this species, especially after it has aged.
Distribution: Central and western Amazonian Brazil.
Ecology: This species grows in non-flooded forest. Seedlings have been collected in Mar.
Phenology: Flowers have been collected in Oct, Nov, Jan and Feb. Fruits have been collected in Dec and Mar.
Pollination: No reports of pollination have been recorded.
Dispersal: No reports of dispersal have been recorded
Predation: No reports recorded.
Field characters: This species is characterized by its (1) scalloped bark with dark yellow to orange inner bark with conspicuous rays, (2) large, actinomorphic flowers, (3) anthers with poricidal dehiscence, (4) in dehiscent fruits. and (5) seeds with a well-developed funicle.
Taxonomic notes: Another species, Gustavia hexapetala, is common in non-flooded forests of central Amazonian Brazil. It is easy to distinguish from G. elliptica by its distinctly 6-lobcd calyx, winged hypanthium, and absence of a yellow, contorted funicle.
Uses: No reports recorded.
Etymology: The name of this species is in reference to its elliptic leaves.
Conservation: IUCN Red List: Not on list.
Source: This species page is based on Mori & Lepsch-Cunha, 1995.
Acknowledgements: We are grateful to C. M. Potascheff and A.Tangerini for allowing us to use their images to illustrate the characters of this species.
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Floras and Monographs
Gustavia elliptica S.A.Mori: [Article] Mori, S. A. & Lepsch da Cunha, Nadia M. 1995. The Lecythidaceae of a central Amazonian moist forest. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 75: 1-55.
Gustavia elliptica S.A.Mori: [Article] Prance, Ghillean T. & Mori, S. A. 1979. Lecythidaceae - Part I. The actinomorphic-flowered New World Lecythidaceae (Asteranthos, Gustavia, Grias, Allantoma & Cariniana). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 21: 1-270.
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Narratives
